The ongoing torrential rains and flash floods have forced the closure of the Astore Valley road in Gilgit-Baltistan, cutting off the district’s land link with the rest of the country, official sources said on Wednesday.

The road was blocked at several locations after floodwaters damaged sections of the route, halting all traffic and leaving thousands of residents, travellers and tourists stranded.

The residents said the closure had disrupted the supply of food, medicines and other essential goods, while raising concerns over the transportation of patients requiring emergency medical treatment.

With no alternative road connecting the district, they said Astore had effectively become isolated.

They urged the Gilgit-Baltistan government, the district administration, the National Highway Authority (NHA) and other relevant agencies to deploy heavy machinery and additional personnel on an emergency basis to restore the road as quickly as possible.